eVent Fabric Vs. Gore-Tex Simple Breathability Test

[andrewy99]

This may be the most unscientific test ever conducted.

[tgsimon]

I agree with ajaxkizer. a gaiter is super tough material. why not try comparing a goretex jacket to a gaiter? this is pretty silly.

[ajaxkizer]

You compared a packable jacket to a gaiter. One is designed to go on your torso and another on your boots. I would imagine and hope that the gaiter, which will be subjected to much more constant battles with moisture as you walk through deep snow, would be a more heavy duty material. Next time compare the same type of fabric. And don't bash something as not scientific and essentially do the same test, but with even less evidence. You can barely see any steam. Try something with more evidence

[jdyt33]

I don't care about the Gore-tex versus E-vent controversy - but you can't mock another test as unscientific - and then show this as something to base conclusions.

[ahimel]

The baby crying in the background was totally scientific. Anyway, eVent is way better than Gore-Tex any day of the week.

Gortex has an extra nearly impenetrable PU layer to keep out dirt and oils that contaminate the membrane whereas eVent doesn't have this layer but instead made the membrane oleophobic. Thats why eVent is called "direct venting." You don't need to conduct test for this just simply look at how they are made and its obvious. eVent Rocks!

[ahimel]

The baby crying in the background was totally scientific. Anyway, eVent is way better than Gore-Tex any day of the week.

Gortex has an extra nearly impenetrable PU layer to keep out dirt and oils that contaminate the membrane whereas eVent doesn't have this layer but instead made the membrane oleophobic. Thats why eVent is called "direct venting." You don't need to conduct test for this just simply look at how they are made and its obvious. eVent Rocks!

[GrahamThompson99]

Boiling water is around 100 degrees C.. your body is at 37 degrees at its core and less outside. As temperatures go down all breathable fabrics perform less well.

[bavarianblucandy]

Check it out--> just use your pitzips on your goretex jackets! Way more breatheable than eVent! (Yeah I almost switched to event, but I have a $500 Arcteryx with pitzips, so I thought why not use the pitzips?)

[P011322]

The trouble I have with these comparisons is the assumption that steam is equivalent to sweat.

Do we know that's true?

[karadason]

@P011322 Sweat is essentially salt water with a few extra things in it. Salt and water do not make a chemical bond in a solution and when sweat vaporizes the water leaves the salt behind. So steam is completely equivalent to sweat in these tests.

[P011322]

@karadason Sweat and steam is not equivalent from my research. Go ahead and google "steam and sweat". I see no links equating the two.

Please explain why you believe that with some credible research.

[MrItchyElbow]

@P011322 Steam and sweat are different. Sweat is a liquid, steam is a vapor. Breathable fabrics allow vapor to exit while keeping liquid water from entering. This is how these types of fabrics allow you to be drier than if you used a completely waterproof fabric. The water vapor would condense into liquid inside your garment and soak you. Typically, the gor-tex or other like fabric is under a shell, which often is treated to bead water off.

[PUNISHERUltra]

WOW! hoe scientific ! not!

[jonathanliew720]

it is only fair to compare event 3l with a gore-tex pro shell 3l.

[wport]

This is complete hokum. The gaiters look old and filthy. Anyone who knows about gore-tex knows that over time dirt etc block the breathable "pores" and the need to be washed, rinsed and tumble dried.

[mtbiker012]

This is an apple to orange test. You are comparing a 11.25 oz jacket to 12.1 ounce gaiters. The Thru Hiker is made to be super thin and light while the gaiters are made to be very thick and durable, so of course the gaiters will breathe less. For a valid test, compare that lightweight eVent jacket you have there with a lightweight, unlined Gore-Tex PacLite shell. The cup of water and Plexiglas is quite valid actually as a straight water vapor transfer comparison.

[prunejuicepb]

The exterior fabric on both items are different which can effect this test. I personaly find this test invaild and inconclusive. Both exteror fabics should be of the same material and density to validate this test.